Every Parent’s Dream

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.Blessed are you, O Lord;teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rulesof your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. Psalm 119:9-16

Isn’t that every parent’s dream as they slowly release the parental reins and watch their kids gallop off into adulthood! (Especially now when so many are heading out the door to go to colleges and jobs.) We all strive to teach our kids what is right and wrong, and to turn to the Lord for guidance and strength. When we cannot be there to watch over them, there is comfort in knowing the One who created us and loves us is keeping His eye on them. He has placed His Spirit in their hearts, if they have confessed their faith, and His Word will be the light onto the dark path of growing up and making tough choices.Even If they have not yet accepted Him as Savior, there is hope because we know He will gently prod them in that direction and hear our prayers on their behalf.

Yes, it is what every parent wants. Even our Father in Heaven. For all of His children – us grown-ups included. Read the passage again. Does that describe you? Be honest. Don’t we all need room for improvement? Of course we do. “There is no such thing as perfect people”, as the Contemporary Christian artist Natalie Grant ‘s song says. “So come as you are, broken and scarred.” We all fall short of serving our Lord to our fullest. Far too often we stumble.

The good news is this. Our God is a God who allows room for improvement. He is a forgiving Lord who knows His children and their weaknesses and is constantly striving to make us better in Him. He teaches, comforts and yes admonishes us, but He also gives us His never ending love and is always there when we need to talk with Him. Every child’s dream!

Dear Father God, You are the perfect parent. May you be an example to us in dealing with our own kids as they mature and go off on their own. Guide them in their decisions and us in our forbearance. Ease our qualms and theirs as we travel through this life. And Lord, help us to always look to You, our Strength and Redeemer. Amen.